Ilyushin Design Bureau may resume the production of its Il-114 turboprop if Moscow proceeds with plans to set up a “sanctions-busting” domestic carrier whose fleet consists only of locally made aircraft.

Russian media had previously reported that the Russian government’s plans were a response to the grounding of Aeroflot’s LCC subsidiary, Dobrolet, which was forced to suspend operations in late July after EU sanctions voided the airline’s leasing contracts.

Russian deputy Prime Minister, Dmitry Rogozin, said: “On the agenda is also the issue of establishing an airline to ensure a regular air lift to Simferopol, Crimea using a Russian aircraft fleet. Today in the Govt we’re discussing the possibility of expanding the production of Russian regional aircraft, in particular IL-114.”

The 64-seat Ilyushin Il-114 was first launched in 1990 as a replacement for the Antonov An-24. Only 20 aircraft were produced, and Uzbekistan Airways is currently the sole operator of the type.